Experience slow living and community life in the mountains of Wakayama, Kimino, Japan

Infos

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  Description

  We’re Shota and Yuho, a couple who traveled to many countries before starting this shared house in the mountains of Kimino Town. Our experiences as backpackers taught us the value of community, nature, and living simply — lessons that inspired us to create the Knots Community, a project aimed at building a sustainable way of life in the countryside.
  
  We live with our 5-year-old daughter in a hand-built house near the shared house where life flows at a natural pace, surrounded by mountains and greenery. During the day, we work at the share house together with the residents, and at night, we return home to rest. Our days are filled with small but meaningful routines — heating water with firewood, growing seasonal vegetables, cultivating Japanese pepper, and harvesting fruits like persimmons and chestnuts in autumn.
  
  We currently have 3.7 hectares of land, and our goal is to restore and develop it through sustainable projects. We’re passionate about creating a place that connects people with nature and promotes eco-friendly living.
  We’d also love to hear your ideas, share experiences, and learn together as we build this project.
  
  
  We also have six chickens and a curious kitten named Chaya.
  
  
  Right now, a Regional Revitalization Volunteer lives with us in the share house. They organize events and workshops to help revitalize the local area — and volunteers who are interested in community activities are more than welcome to join and take part!
  
  Transport
  It takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from Osaka Kansai Airport.
  
  
  
  
  Just a short walk away from the share house, you’ll find a quiet river where people often go fishing or spend time in nature.
  Since there’s no supermarket nearby, we usually drive about 30 minutes by car to get groceries.
  You’re welcome to join us on shopping trips if you’d like, and we also have a weekly market truck that comes by, where you can buy daily essentials.
  
  
  On weekends, you can visit a small café close by, or relax at the nearby onsen and restaurant— the perfect way to relax and experience the slower pace of countryside Japan.
  
  Life here is about more than sharing a space — it’s about sharing experiences, ideas, and moments together.
  
  
  Day schedule
  Our usual working hours are from 9:00 to 12:00 or 13:00 to 17:00, depending on the season and the type of work that takes priority. Total of 5 hrs, 4 days per week.
  Once the day’s tasks are finished, you’re free to relax, explore the area, or spend your time as you like.
  Workawayers will not be involved in any income-generating business activities (e.g., guest house operations). The gardening and farming activities are private work and not for any business purpose — we simply enjoy growing food for daily life and sharing it with everyone who stays.
  
  
  
  About meals
  We ask workawayers to prepare their own meals, but you’re welcome to use our homegrown vegetables, fresh eggs from our chickens, and the seasonings available in the kitchen.
  From time to time, we also enjoy cooking together and having BBQ nights, sharing good food and conversation under the stars.
  What to bring
  • Comfortable clothes that are suited for outside work
  • Outdoor shoes
  • Soap, Shampoo, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Towels
  
  
  
  What We’re Looking For
  • People who enjoy teamwork and community life
  • Interested in sustainable living, farming, DIY, or countryside culture
  • Open-minded and curious about learning new skills.
  If you’re curious about sustainable living, community life, and the beauty of rural Japan, come join us at — and experience this new form of sharing for yourself.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Projets artistiques

  Pratique d’une langue

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide dans une ferme

  Baby-sitting et jeux créatifs

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Home sitting
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Dessin et peinture

  

  Écriture

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Musique

  

  Végétarien ou végan

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Ferme

  

  Événements/vie sociale

  

  Culture

  

  Menuiserie

  

  Jardinage

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Livres

  

  Art et design

  

  Architecture

  

  Animaux

  

  Activités en plein air

  

  Montagne

  

  Danse

  

  Camping

  

  Nature

  

  Yoga / bien-être
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  You’ll also have the chance to learn from Shota’s experience as the founder of an organization, which restores traditional Japanese houses — a great opportunity if you’re interested in architecture or sustainable housing.
  
  You can also learn Japanese cuisine from Yuho.

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  Projets impliquant des enfants

  Ce projet peut impliquer des enfants. Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos directives et conseils ici.

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  Aide

  By joining our small community, you’ll gain hands-on experience in rural life while living alongside other residents and volunteers. Activities change with the seasons, but may include:
  • Growing and harvesting vegetables
  • Foraging for wild plants and mushrooms
  • Learning about hunting and food processing
  • Collecting and storing firewood
  • Language and cultural Exchange
  • Participating in local events.
  • Babysitting

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Japonais: Courant
  Anglais: Intermédiaire

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa propre langue ou en apprendre une nouvelle.
  Contactez-le pour en savoir plus.
  
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  Hébergement

  About accommodation
  The share house is equipped with a shared kitchen, a common bathroom, and a shower room available for all residents.
  
  Availability varies based on the share house's vacancy status. Currently, we can accommodate guests in two rooms (a small room and a large room).
  Small room: ~2 people
  Large room: ~4 people

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il aimait accueillir les digital nomads.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  Cet hôte a de la place pour les vans.

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  Cet hôte a dit qu’il acceptait les personnes voyageant avec un animal.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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  Mes animaux

  

  Chickens

  

  Chaya

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